Joe Kool's
Joe Kool's things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
Description
Playful, informal watering hole offering classic pub grub such as meatloaf & pizza.
attractions: Victoria Park, Harris Park, St. Peter's Cathedral Basilica London, ON, Museum London, Masala Papad - Indian Express Kitchen, Downtown London BIA, St. Paul's Cathedral, Hasty Market, Jill's Table, Chris Country Cuts, restaurants: UDUPI DOSA (Authentic South Indian Delights, London, Ontario), Jack Astor's Bar & Grill Richmond Row, Los Lobos, The Morrissey House, Milos' Craft Beer Emporium, Spageddy Eddy's, Moxies London Downtown Restaurant, The Church Key Bistro-Pub, Molly Bloom's Irish Pub & Restaurant, Black Walnut Bakery Café
Ratings
Description
Playful, informal watering hole offering classic pub grub such as meatloaf & pizza.
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Posts
I was at Joe Kool's with my family the first week of June 2023. The last time I was at Joe Kool's was 33 years ago during my graduation ceremony from the University of Western Ontario. My trip back to my old hometown London, Ontario -- and in the process of Joe Kool's - was meant to show my two boys the place that shaped me to become who I am today. More importantly, Joe Kool's gave me my first job in 1986 - as a newly arrived 19-years old Immigrant with limited conversational English -- and in the process Joe Kool's supported me in my quest to graduate from Western with a Computer Science [Honors] degree in 1990. And the rest is history.. to be told in my memoir. Why I am writing this long review is because - one of the biggest surprises my life happened during this June 2023 visit to Joe Kool's and London, Ontario. After checking in at our hotel - the Delta Hotels London Armouries - I asked my family to hurry - and "let us go to Joe Kool's." It was around 5:00 PM on Wed, June 8th. I drove my family for early dinner to Joe Kool's because I wanted to show them the amazing venue and food I still remember - before it gets busy in the evening. While sitting and reminiscing the venue, and in the process enjoying the Joe Kool's Nachos with my family -- I noticed an amazingly familiar man. I asked the waitress if she knew who that person was - and she said - yes, that is Mike Smith. This is a man who I last saw 33 years ago - the founder and owner of Joe Kool's. I went to say hello - and he said, "Michael!!" - emotional hugs, etc... I introduced him to my family, etc... - and then another unthinkable thing happens. Mike showed me a man sitting at the bar - older with white hair and beard - but a very familiar smile and face. And yes, it was Ross Cockburn - my mentor who taught me how to become the best dishwasher and then got me promoted to become a bus boy and then a host at Joe Kool's. The chances of both Mike and Ross being at the Restaurant - 33 years later and coincidently meeting my wife and my two boys -- at the place who shaped my future -- was surreal and an emotional moment for all of us. And you thought the story ends here... not yet. Thanks to Mike's and his wife Anne - they threw me a dinner party at their house the next day - and to my surprise - they invited my boss at Joe Kool's - Scot Crawford - whom I saw last 33 years ago. Let me pause here... and I would like to say..... Thank you, Joe Kool's, Mike, Ross, Scot, and my classmate at Western Mike Cookson - for an amazing homecoming!! I plan to return back to Joe Kool's during its 41st anniversary week, March 1-7, 2024 - to celebrate with my [reconnected] family. Michael.
Michael MelesseMichael Melesse
50
As a local Londoner this is a great bar to go to if your someone who is older(above 25+) and want to mingle with the older crowd. However, there has been a lot of negative feedback from me and other people in the community that there has been an increase number of younger people(mostly college students) coming here now ever since late 2023 - 2024 which really sucks for the locals who have been going here for years now since the line to get in has been insane(2 hour wait time at least if you are around Mac's Convivence store). Do you guys plan on doing something to fix the issue like expanding venue bigger or maybe charging people under +25 for cover?
Steven ForsythSteven Forsyth
30
A RACIST PLACE! I was walking looking for a friend when one of the bouncers decided to push me out, she made me drop my phone there and I didn't have other way to get home, when I came back in, I told another security I needed help finding my phone, and they brought the girl again, SHE ATTACKED ME TWISTING MY LEFT ARM, GRABBING ME WITH ALL HER STRENGTH, LIFTING ME UP AND PULLING ME OUT, while her other 2 friends covered her so nobody would see what they were doing... THEY LEFT ME BRUISES AND ARM PAIN. I'd seen other people do bad things there like throwing drinks and nobody would treat them like they did to me.
Karla PadillaKarla Padilla
20
I can’t wait to come back here, thank you for the awesome service.
Phil Star905 الطبخ، التدريب، الموسيقى. (Phil Star)Phil Star905 الطبخ، التدريب، الموسيقى. (Phil Star)
00
Nearby Attractions Of Joe Kool's
Victoria Park
Harris Park
St. Peter's Cathedral Basilica London, ON
Museum London
Masala Papad - Indian Express Kitchen
Downtown London BIA
St. Paul's Cathedral
Hasty Market
Jill's Table
Chris Country Cuts

Victoria Park
4.5
(2.8K)Click for details

Harris Park
4.5
(751)Click for details

St. Peter's Cathedral Basilica London, ON
4.7
(441)Click for details

Museum London
4.4
(429)Click for details
Nearby Restaurants Of Joe Kool's
UDUPI DOSA (Authentic South Indian Delights, London, Ontario)
Jack Astor's Bar & Grill Richmond Row
Los Lobos
The Morrissey House
Milos' Craft Beer Emporium
Spageddy Eddy's
Moxies London Downtown Restaurant
The Church Key Bistro-Pub
Molly Bloom's Irish Pub & Restaurant
Black Walnut Bakery Café

UDUPI DOSA (Authentic South Indian Delights, London, Ontario)
4.7
(1.2K)$$
Click for details

Jack Astor's Bar & Grill Richmond Row
4.3
(1.4K)Click for details

Los Lobos
4.4
(1.1K)$$
Click for details

The Morrissey House
4.3
(918)Click for details